For selfish reasons, I really don't want to write this review, but it would be a grave injustice to the owners and staff if I didn't. Deep Forest Garden Hotel is one of the best travel values in Puerto Princesa, and I dread the idea of more folks catching on to it.
THE ROSES: DFGH is located away from the main town in a delightfully quiet and wooded location. The rooms and grounds are decorated in a manner that can best be described as quirky, eclectic, and delightful. Around the hotel grounds you'll find unusual statuary and wooden carvings, and the rooms all have these nifty carvings as well, giving each room it's own unique appeal. The rooms are very clean, quiet, and the beds are comfortable. There is a pool and a large jacuzzi and a swim-up bar, all of which are kept very clean. Don't be afraid of being assigned a room by the pool; they close it around 10pm, and it is very quiet even before that.
The hotel also features a very nice restaurant and bar. While some reviews have noted what they thought were high-ish prices, I honestly found them to be right in line with other restaurants in town. The food is actually very good, with a menu that features both Filipino, European and Asian cuisine, all of which were executed very well. I particularly liked the Bulalo (slow-braised beef shank) served over mashed potatoes.
The staff is very pleasant and friendly, and the hotel is quick to correct any room deficiencies. We had a valve on our toilet break while we were there, and it was fixed in literally minutes.
THE THORNS: Wi-fi in the rooms is rather poor. One has to go out to the pool area or the lobby/restaurant to get a decent signal. Water pressure in the rooms can also be a bit on the weak side. While they offer snorkeling gear for rent, the selection isn't that great, and some of gear is in so-so condition. If you're going on an organized snorkeling tour, you're better off renting at the shop the tour operator stops at on the way to the boat. Otherwise, check your gear carefully before you go to the beach.
For those not used to travel in third-world countries, the surrounding neighborhood does look a little sketchy, with dusty streets and ramshackle homes and streetside market stalls. As the hotel-provided shuttle van was taking us to the hotel, I was starting to wonder what the heck I had gotten my family into. But fear not; while the area is modest, it is very safe, and the hotel itself is like a hidden Shangri-La within this area.
THE VERDICT: Owned by a European fellow, Deep Forest Garden Hotel combines Swiss efficiency with Filipino warmth, offering vacationers the best of both worlds. They give you very good value for money, and as more people discover this hidden gem, it could be a very hard room to book.
I heartily recommend this hotel! read more